At the start of the second season of Disney Channel’s Andi Mack, the show made history for the network when main character Cyrus (Joshua Rush) came out to his friend Buffy (Sofia Wylie). Having a gay character in the core ensemble in Disney Channel’s most popular show is a huge leap forward and earned the show a GLAAD Media Award nomination in the new category, Outstanding Kids and Family Programming.

Tonight, Cyrus’ story continues in the extended, full-hour episode “Cyrus’ Bash-Mitzvah,” where, in addition to having his Bar Mitzvah, he finally tells Andi (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) about his crush on Jonah. In the episode, Andi and Jonah’s relationship seems to be on the rocks after they disagree over calling each other “boyfriend” and “girlfriend.” As Andi vents to Cyrus and Buffy, Cyrus opens up to her, saying, “Andi, you’re not the only one who likes Jonah. I like him too.” After a moment’s pause to process Andi fully accepts him, as did Buffy, and the two friends make him feel safe and protected. Andi and Cyrus immediately begin bonding over their shared crush, and become closer as friends for his honesty. In the episode, audiences also meet Cyrus’ parents for the first time who are supportive and proud of their son.

This was a big week for Andi Mack as the show was renewed for a third season! Audiences can look forward to exploring Cyrus’ story further, as well as more on the other important topics covered in the series. Andi Mack includes plots addressing issues faced by military veterans with Buffy’s mom, and ongoing themes of self-empowerment and embracing your most authentic self. These stories are connecting with audiences, making Andi Mack both Disney Channel’s most popular series and a top 10 series on all of cable TV among kids and girls aged 6-11.

Having a coming out story on such a popular show among young viewers is hugely important, and we hope to see other series following Andi Mack’s example. As Lee (Andi) told Teen Vogue, “I think kids who have those very real feelings and things that actually really do happen, seeing that on TV can give them the confidence to be more proud of who they are.”

Don’t miss Andi Mack on Disney Channel on Fridays at 8/7c. You can also catch up on the DisneyNOW app and on-demand.

Every week, the GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend!

1) Science-fiction film Annihilation opened on Friday in theaters nationwide. From writer/director Alex Garland, the film follows five women as they venture into the mysterious Shimmer, where the unknown awaits them. One of these women is veteran and paramedic Anya Thorensen, played by Gina Rodriguez. Rodriguez describes her character as “a paramedic from Chicago who happens to be a lesbian and an ex-addict going into the Shimmer to be the hero that she’s kinda always wanted to be.” A major genre release that features a queer woman as one of the main ensemble players is something that needs to happen more often. Annihilation is now playing in theaters.

2) Also opening this weekend is Every Day, the fantasy romance based on the novel by out author David Levithan. Every Day is a love story between a teenage girl and “A,” a person who wakes up in a different body every day. This includes men, women, and one day as a trans teen played by out trans actor Ian Alexander (The OA). Directed by out filmmaker Michael Suscy, the film spreads the message that love is more powerful than appearance or gender. Every Day is out in theaters now.

3) The 2018 BAFTA Awards were announced last weekend. LGBTQ-inclusive wins include James Ivory for Adapted Screenplay of queer coming-of-age romance Call Me By Your Name, Korean lesbian thriller/romance The Handmaiden for Film Not in The English Language, the documentary on gay author and activist James Baldwin I Am Not Your Negro for Documentary, and Coco for Animated Film, which was co-written and co-directed by Adrian Molina, an out gay man. For the complete list of BAFTA winners, click here!

4) Disney Channel’s popular show Andi Mack has been renewed for a third season! The GLAAD Media Award-nominated series broke ground last year when one of the main characters, Cyrus, came out as gay. Having a gay character in a major role in a show aimed at such a wide young audience is a much needed step in the right direction, and with season three, viewers will be able to see more of Cyrus’ story unfold. In other renewal news, NBC renewed comedy Superstore for a fourth season. The ensemble of the workplace comedy includes out comedian and actor Nico Santos as Mateo, a gay employee of the store.

5) A new trailer has been released for season three of Shadowhunters. The trailer shows the new threat of Lillith, plus glimpses of fan favorite couple, Alec and Magnus. The new season of Shadowhunters premieres on March 20^th. Another trailer out this week is for the second season of NBC’s Timeless, the sci-fi adventure drama that was cancelled then immediately saved by the network. The show includes the character of Denise Christopher, a special agent assigned to the team, who also has a wife and child. Timeless returns March 11^th on NBC.

6) The first casting news has been announced for The CW’s upcoming Charmed reboot. The character of Mel, a lesbian witch described as “a passionate, outspoken activist who loses her way in the wake of family tragedy,” will be played by Melonie Diaz of The Breaks and Fruitvale Station. In other casting news out bisexual actor Natalie Morales has been cast in the lead of new pilot, Abby’s, a show about an unlicensed bar and its patrons. She will play the titular Abby, a military veteran turned bartender.

I’m coming out. I want the world to know. #PrideMonth t.co/XTjpMsk9kT

— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) June 30, 2017

7) Actor and advocate Laverne Cox just released her first single “Beat For the Gods” and an accompanying music video. Cox told Out Magazine she made the song as a “celebration of queer culture and LGBTQ club culture.” The video stars queer and trans talent, including actor Trace Lysette. The song is available to stream and purchase now, and the video is below!

8) The track list of the soundtrack to Disney and Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle In Time was released earlier this week. The adaptation of the popular young adult novel will feature six original songs, including songs by out artists Kehlani and Sia. The soundtrack will be available on March 9^th, the same day the film is released into theaters. You can hear part of Kehlani’s track “Let Me Live” in the trailer below.

10) The next song and video in out singer Matt Palmer’s visual EP Get Lost was released Thursday. The newest track “The Worst,” continues to tell the story of a relationship between two men played by Palmer and out model Max Emerson, and this newest chapter focuses on their breakup. The song is available to stream and download, and Get Lost can be pre-ordered here. The full album will be out March 9^th.

11) Harvey Fierstein’s play Torch Song, which originally was staged in 1978 before transferring to Broadway in in the early ‘80s, will be making its return this fall. The Tony Award-winning play follows Arnold Beckoff, a gay Jewish drag queen and singer living in New York in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Having a queer protagonist of such a successful play in that time was breaking new ground. The revival will premiere on November 1st, and stars out Broadway star Michael Urie.

Somethings coming! pic.twitter.com/8TI2kN1YOF

— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) February 21, 2018

12) Lingua Franca, a film currently seeking funding, follows an undocumented trans Filipina woman who falls in love with a Russian-Jewish man on Coney Island. In addition to being a love story, the film also delves into the anxiety of being an immigrant and a trans woman of color in today’s political climate. With a largely immigrant crew, the film seeksto provide increased visibility to underrepresented groups in Hollywood. To find out more about Lingua Franca and how you can help, click here!